The holidays are on their way ...

Well, it's November 1st and last night was our first Halloween in this neighborhood and it was the best time. Several people organize an annual Halloween parade through the neighborhood where all of the kids dress up and adults bring something to eat (typically cookies, cake etc) and a couple of the families provide hotdogs and drinks and everyone marches through the neighborhood to the end house and has a block party-type dinner and then off to trick-or-treat. It was so much fun to watch all of the kids run around ... I knew we had a LOT of kids but I ddin't realize we had that many. We had at least 75 trick-or-treaters and went through SOOOOOO much candy. Garrett was dressed as a basset hound and he had a ball running around like a little wild man. We all had so much fun.

I have officially scheduled my induction date for January 10 ... provided we don't have to go sooner. While KP is pulling for a delivery before the new year strikes (tax deduction) I am just pulling for after Christmas (and healthy and alive of course). We pretty much have Braden (that's his name - we're still in debate mode for the middle name) room ready and are just working on the mural on his wall. Jill (my sister-in-law) is an incredible painter and is going to come help us get that finished soon.

As the holidays approach and my pregnancy grows I have had to let mom know that we won't be driving to Atlanta anytime after Thanksgiving. She is taking that pretty well and I think she's thinking of them coming here. That would be great. So we'll go to her house on Thanksgiving and come home the day after and then be home for the rest of the holiday season. I am excited about not traveling at all this year - I am already uncomfortable and can just imagine how it will feel when I am bigger and also taking care of Garrett the entire time.

On another note brother and Amy seem to be learning their way with Miss Avery. She's 3 weeks old and I think they are starting to hit some sort of rhythm. They are doing a lot of the typical first time parent things - stressing (really really really stressing) every little decision to the point of beating the horse beyond recognition. I have reassured brother that as long as they love her, feed her at least every couple of hours and hold her some they can't do any damage .. I wish they could relax and enjoy her instead of feeling guilty about putting her down, giving her a pacifier (which they didnt' do for weeks and boy was that a rough couple of weeks for all of them) and any other number of things. I guess with time. I am just practicing nodding and saying "hhmmmmm" when he calls with the latest issue - my main response is to encourage him to call his peditrician (they are reading one book and taking it as the "bible" of babydom - I pointed out that there are more perspectives and opinoins on baby raising and they should read a variety of sources and consult their dr) ... and Andi says "hhmmmm" as she nods.

Well, going to to take advantage of Garrett being down for his afternoon nap and get a few things done. I'll post some pictures from last night.

a